Archery bow structures

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to archery bow and limb pocket structures and assemblies. Some archery bows include a limb arrangement with the limbs extending into limb pockets. In certain embodiments herein, the butt ends of the limbs are offset rearward of the limb bolts. In selected embodiments, the structure of the riser supports the limb pocket in a “tripod” stance having a single forward connection portion and two spaced apart rearward connections.

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No.62/403,859 filed on Oct. 4, 2016, which is incorporated by referenceherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to archery bows and moreparticularly pertains to improved archery bow riser and limb pocketstructures and assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Compound archery bows generally include a bow frame having a riser andtwo bow limbs (or four “quad” bow limbs), plus a cable system on theframe mounted to at least two rotational members such as cams orpulleys. Archery bow limbs store energy when the archer draws thebowstring. When the bowstring is drawn, the pre-stressed bow limbs,which are typically made of resilient material, are further flexed tostore additional energy. When the bowstring is released, the storedenergy propels the arrow. In conventional compound bows, each limb istypically formed of a single element with a substantially rectangularcross-section, where one end is attached to the bow handle and the otherend has a limb tip slot formed therein, in which a rotational membersuch as a wheel, cam or pulley is mounted. In “quad” compound archerybows, two pairs of parallel bow limbs are used, each having one endattached to the bow handle or riser and the other end coupled with therotational member.

It is important for the limbs to be properly aligned with the riser andsecurely mounted to the riser to prevent movement of the limb ends andto minimize twist or torque applied to the riser. In certain archerybows, the ends or butt sections of the limbs are received and secured inlimb pockets attached to ends of the riser. Typically, limbs extend fromthe rear and forward along the entire length of the limb pocket,terminating adjacent the forward edge of the limb pocket and riser,abutting the inside surface of a limb pocket sidewall and liner. A limbbolt securing the limb pocket to the riser is typically arranged betweenthe limb ends or through a slot in a limb end, with the limb buttsection extending forward past the limb bolt.

Typical compound riser arrangements extend vertically as planar portionswith a substantially rectangular cross-section, i.e. with a horizontalwidth less than the front-to-rear length. The riser planar portions canbe considered as solid and without holes from a front-to-rearperspective. In other words, they do not have front-to-rear passagesextending through the riser. At most, selected shoot-through bowarrangements may have spaced apart sidewalls only within a sight windowportion. Accordingly, all of the forces applied to the riser by the limbpockets and transmitted along the height of the riser are concentratedand carried by the planar vertical portions.

There is a need for improved archery bow structures.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to archery bow and limb pocketstructures and assemblies. A compound archery bow as shown includes ariser portion with an upper end and a lower end, with bow limbs attachedto and extending from the riser, each limb having a butt, tip and hingesection. The archery bow includes a pair of limb pockets arranged atopposing ends of the riser portion and secured in part by limb bolts. Incertain embodiments, the bow includes a split limb arrangement withpairs of parallel limbs with each pair extending into a limb pocket. Theends of the limbs are offset rearward of the limb bolts yet locked inplace by the structure of the limb pockets. A limb pocket cover extendsfrom the limb bolt to cover the limb ends, and force is transmittedthrough the cover.

In certain embodiments, the structure of the riser supports the limbpocket in a “tripod” stance having a single forward connection portionand two spaced apart rearward connections. This tripod stance helpscreate a stable platform that resists riser flex.

In certain embodiments, the riser is formed with a substantially openframework with additional openings and front-to-rear passages both aboveand below the sight window. As illustrated, an open framework of strutsforms spaced apart sidewalls continued along the majority of the heightof the riser. Advantages of the open framework include spacing thebracing structure more widely, providing better stability and reducingpotential torque or flex of the riser, reduced mass and greatervisibility.

Other objects and attendant advantages of this disclosure will bereadily appreciated as the same become more clearly understood byreferences to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which like referencenumerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compound archery bow according to onepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective front view of a limb pocket assembly of theembodiment of FIG. 1

FIG. 5 is a perspective rear view of a limb pocket assembly of FIG. 4

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a limb pocket assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the limb pocket assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8A is a perspective front view of a limb pocket piece usable in thelimb pocket assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8B is a perspective rear view of the limb pocket piece of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a riser structure of the embodiment ofFIG. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of thedisclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustratedand specific language will be used to describe the same. It willnevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of thedisclosure is thereby intended, such alterations, modifications, andfurther applications of the principles of the disclosure beingcontemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to whichthe disclosure relates.

The present disclosure is directed to archery bow and limb pocketstructures and assemblies. A compound archery bow comprises a riserportion defining a height with an upper end and a lower end, with bowlimbs attached to and extending from the riser, each limb having a butt,tip and hinge section. An archery bow often includes a pair of limbpockets arranged at the upper and lower ends of the riser portion andconfigured to receive the butt sections of the limbs. In certainillustrated embodiments, the bow includes a split or quad limbarrangement with two pairs of limbs. The limbs extend into the limbpocket and terminate before extending to the plane with the limb bolt.In other words, the ends of the limb pieces are offset rearward of thelimb bolt yet locked in place by the structure of the limb pocket. Thelimb pocket core and cover extends from the limb bolt to cover the limbends, and force is transmitted through the core and cover. This allowsthe limbs to bend more and also allows for smaller loads to betranslated to the riser.

In certain embodiments, the structure of the riser supports the limbpocket in a “tripod” stance having a single forward connection portionand two spaced apart rearward connections. This tripod stance helpscreate a stable platform that resists riser flex during use.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a representative example of a dual-cam compoundarchery bow generally designated as 10. When considered from theperspective of an archer holding the bow 10, it includes a riser 20 witha sight and arrow window 26 and a handle portion 28. The riser 20includes upper end 22 and lower end 24. At least a pair of bow limbsextend from the opposing ends of the riser. As illustrated, a pair ofupper limbs 32 extend rearward from an upper limb pocket assembly 50,and a pair of lower limbs 34 extend from a lower limb pocket assembly50. This two pair arrangement is sometimes referred to as “quad limbs.”Upper limb pocket assembly 50 and lower limb pocket assembly 50 aremirror images of each other in bow 10. Upper limb assembly 50 isdiscussed in further detail herein. The same disclosure applies to lowerlimb pocket assembly 50.

Rotational members such as eccentric cams 36 and 38 are supported at therearward limb tip sections for rotary movement about respective axles.In the embodiment shown, the upper cam 36 is carried in a gap betweenthe outer limb tip portions of upper limbs 32. The lower cam 38 iscarried in a gap between the outer limb tip portions of lower limbs 34.In a solid limb arrangement, the outer limb tip end may define a slot tocarry the rotational member.

Bowstring 40 includes an upper end and a lower end which either areanchored to the cams or received in corresponding tracks defined by cams36 and 38, depending on the arrangement. Additional cabling such as areturn cable portion and a control cable portion are typically included,but are omitted herein for ease of illustrating bow 10. When thebowstring 40 is drawn, it causes eccentric cams 36 and 38 at each end ofthe bow to rotate, feeding out cable and bending limbs 32 and 34 inward,causing additional energy to be stored therein. When the bowstring 40 isreleased with an arrow engaged to the bowstring, the limbs 32 and 34return to their rest position, causing the eccentric pulleys 36 and 38to rotate in the opposite direction, to take up the bowstring 40 andlaunch the arrow with an amount of energy proportional to the energystored in the bow limbs. Bow 10 is described for illustration andcontext and is not intended to be limiting. Aspects of the presentdisclosure can be used with dual-cam compound bows as illustrated or canbe used with single-cam bows as described for example in U.S. Pat. No.5,368,006 to McPherson. Alternately, aspects of the present disclosurecan be used in other types of bows such as recurve bows or crossbows.The cams, pulleys and cabling of the bow may be conventional.

Bow 10 is illustrated with a shoot through riser 20. Riser 20 includes asight and arrow window 26 arranged above handle 28. Window 26 defines apassage passing front-to-rear through riser 20. Window 26 is illustratedwith a substantially oval cross-section, although the shape can bedefined as desired. The central vertical axis of sight window 26 isaligned with a central vertical axis A of bow 10, as viewed from a frontor rear perspective. The axis of bowstring 40 is also aligned with axisA. As desired, selected archery bow accessories such as an arrow rest orbow sight can be mounted and arranged within window 26. The central axisof the arrow rest and sight may also be aligned with axis A. Otheraccessories, such as a cable guard or a dampener, can also be mountedwithin or adjacent to window 26. In use an archer places an arrowthrough the window and on the arrow rest, and the arrow passes throughwindow 26 when it is released. Desirably, the arrow shaft axisintersects and is perpendicular to axis A. In alternate embodiments,certain features such as the limb pocket assembly illustrated herein canbe used with different riser structures, such as a riser with a left orright handed arrow shelf.

Close-up views of limb pocket assembly 50 are illustrated in FIGS. 4-5,with an exploded view in FIG. 6. A geometric view of the upper riser end22, upper limbs 32 and limb bolt 52 is illustrated in FIG. 7, withvarious elements omitted for illustration purposes. FIGS. 8A and 8Billustrate limb pocket piece 150.

The limb pocket assembly 50 is mounted to the upper end 22 of riser 20and secures the forward or butt ends 134 of limbs 32 to riser 20. Limbpocket piece 150 includes a body or core section 152. As assembled,lower surface 153 of pocket piece 150 is placed adjacent to andtypically abuts limb pocket surface 23 defined by riser upper end 22.Core section 152 defines a forward end 154 and a rearward end 162. Alimb bolt mounting recess 155 is defined adjacent forward end 154. Limbbolt 52 and rocker 54 may be placed into and through the limb boltmounting recess and a corresponding limb bolt opening in limb pocketsurface 23. The inward end of limb bolt 54 is fastened to the riser end,for instance it may be threadably engaged with a limb bolt barrel nut 56arranged in riser end 22.

A pair of limb end cavities 156 are defined by limb pocket piece 150 andspaced rearward of recess 155. The limb end cavities 156 define rearwardopenings and extend forward along body section 152 underneath a pair ofcovers or top wall portions 157 extending laterally from body section152. The downward facing surfaces 159 of covers 157 are arranged to abutthe upper facing surfaces of limb ends 134. The forward depth ofcavities 156 is defined by stop walls 158 facing rearward. Stop walls158 are arranged to abut the forward end faces 135 of limbs 32. Stopwalls 158 are arranged rearward of limb bolt 52. The lower side of eachcavity may define an opening such that the lower side of the limb buttend is not engaged by the cavity.

As geometrically illustrated in FIG. 7, as assembled the axis B of limbbolt 52 is spaced forward by gap G from a plane or axis F defined by thelimb forward faces 135. Consequently, the limb ends 134 are spacedrearward of limb bolt 52. Axis B is substantially parallel to and/orclose to parallel to axis F within the limb pocket assembly.

Core section 152 defines an inner sidewall of each cavity 156. An outerside wall or portion may be defined adjacent an outer sidewall of eachlimb end. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, the outer sidewall portion is shownas a downward extending tab or flange. Wings 164, which are spacedrearward of the cavities, support the lower limb sides. The limb endsare engaged by the cavities on the top, inside and outside sides plusthe end face, and separately engaged by the wings on a lower face tolock the limb end within the limb pocket assembly.

As limbs 32 extend rearward from cavities 156, the limbs pass over apair of lateral wings 164 extending from the rearward end 162 of pocketpiece 150. Upper surfaces 166 of wings 164 abut lower surfaces of limbs32. Wings 164 abut the limb hinge sections and define fulcrum points forthe limbs.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of sideplates 58 are used inconjunction with the limb pocket piece to lock the limb ends 134 withinthe limb pocket assembly 50. The side plates also help secure the limbpocket assembly to the riser. Each sideplate 58 includes a downwardextending sidewall portion which is arranged adjacent an outer sidewallof the limb end. Each sideplate 58 also includes an upper lateralportion extending from the side plate to an anchor position between thelimbs. The upper lateral portion abuts an upper face of a limb. Eachsideplate 58 can be secured to the limb pocket piece 150 and the riserend 22 with fasteners, such as threaded screws. In the illustratedembodiment, each sideplate 58 is secured with three fasteners arrangedadjacent a forward side portion of the limb pocket piece, a rearwardside portion of the limb pocket piece and a top face of the limb pocketpiece. The rearward fasteners may also fasten the rearward end 162 ofthe limb pocket piece to riser end 22.

In use as assembled, the gap G between limbs ends 134 and limb bolt 52is bridged and filled by the limb pocket covers 157 and body portion152. When limbs 32 are flexed as bow 10 is drawn, the butt ends 134 andthe limb pocket piece 150 are urged to pivot upward around the fulcrumof wings 164. The upward force is primarily resisted by the limb boltand rocker which are anchored to the riser and thus prevent movement ofthe limb pocket piece. Because of the gap between the limb bolt and thelimb ends, forces transmitted through the limbs are in turn transmittedthrough the limb covers and the body portion to the limb bolt. Ineffect, compared to arrangements where the limbs extend the full depthof the limb pocket, a shorter length of each limb is captured withineach limb pocket assembly 50. Instead, the limb pocket piece 150 becomespart of the lever arm. The shorter captured limb length functions as ashorter effective lever arm within the limb. This allows the limbs tobend more and also allows for smaller loads to be translated to theriser.

In a separate aspect, the structure at each end of the riser 20 supportsthe limb pocket in a “tripod” stance having a single forward connectionportion and two spaced apart rearward support points. In more detail, asillustrated in FIG. 9 and other figures, upper riser end 22 includes apair of vertical forward strut portions 123. Strut portions 123 areangled to converge to form a central forward connection point 124 on end22. A pair of rearward strut portions 125 are substantially vertical andprimarily parallel. The axes of rearward strut portions 125 do notintersect within the height of riser 20. Rearward strut portions 125respectively terminate in a pair of spaced apart rearward support points126 on riser end 22. An open gap is defined between rearward supportpoints 126 and separates them. This provides a tripod defined by acentral forward support point and a pair of spaced apart rearwardsupport points for limb pocket assembly 50. For each limb pocket,forward end 154 is secured to the forward connection portion, and therearward end 162 of the limb pocket is secured to the riser at the pairof rearward support points 126. A pair of fasteners may be used tosecure two portions of rearward end 162 to rearward support points 126.In certain embodiments, limb pocket rearward end 162 defines a pair ofdownward extending tabs which are arranged between rearward supportpoints 126. Fastener passages in the downward extending tabs are alignedwith fastener passages in rearward support points 126. The fastenerpassages may also be aligned with fastener passages defined insideplates 58. The tripod stance helps create a stable platform thatresists riser flex during use.

Still further, riser 20 is formed with a substantially open frameworkwith a series of openings and front-to-rear passages defined throughriser 20 both above and below sight window 26. As illustrated, upper end22 and lower end 24 are each formed by an open framework of strutsforming spaced apart sidewalls, for example with one sidewall formed bya forward strut portion 123 and a corresponding rearward strut portion125, and an opposing sidewall formed by the other forward strut portion123 and the other rearward strut portion 125. A pattern with a frameworkof struts defining open sidewalls and a series of open front-to-rearpassages is continued along the majority of the height of riser 20, withthe exception of handle portion 28. The sidewalls are connected atselected heights by the riser ends, the handle and/or cross-struts. Theframework also defines a series of side-to-side openings and passages.

Traditional riser assemblies do not have a framework of spaced apartsidewalls with open front-to-rear passages extending the height of theriser and/or above or below the sight window. At most, a shoot-throughbow arrangement may have spaced apart sidewalls within a sight windowportion. In contrast to traditional risers, advantages of riser 20include spacing the bracing structure more widely, providing betterstability and reducing potential torque or twisting of the riser. Otheradvantages include reduced mass and providing greater visibility,especially through the riser in portions aligned with the sight windowwhile maintaining sufficient strength and stability within theframework.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that allchanges and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosureare desired to be protected.

What is claimed:
 1. An archery bow, comprising: a. an archery bow riserwith opposing ends; b. a pair of bow limbs extending from the opposingends of the riser, each limb having a butt end; c. a limb pocketarranged at each opposing end of the riser; d. a limb bolt anchoringeach limb pocket to the riser; and, e. wherein the butt ends of thelimbs are engaged within the limb pockets and wherein the butt ends areoffset rearward of the limb bolts.
 2. The archery bow of claim 1,wherein the limb pockets each include a portion extending from the limbbolt to over a respective limb butt end and bridging the distance thatthe limb butt end is offset rearward of the respective limb bolt.
 3. Thearchery bow of claim 2, wherein each limb pocket defines a cavity toreceive a limb butt end and defines a stopwall abutting a forward faceof the limb butt end, wherein the stopwall is spaced rearward of therespective limb bolt.
 4. The archery bow of claim 1, comprising a pairof bow limbs attached to and extending from each opposing end of theriser; each limb having a butt end, a tip end and a hinge section andwherein the butt ends of a pair of limbs are engaged within each limbpocket; and wherein the butt ends of the pairs of limbs are spacedrearward of the respective limb bolts.
 5. The archery bow of claim 4,wherein each limb bolt defines an axis, wherein forward faces of eachpair of limbs define a plane and wherein the limb bolt axis issubstantially parallel to and spaced forward from the plane defined bythe forward faces.
 6. The archery bow of claim 1, wherein each limbpocket defines at least one cavity with an inner sidewall, a top wallportion and an outer side wall which abut and engage a respective limbbutt end and wherein each limb pocket defines a wing spaced rearward ofthe at least one cavity, wherein the wing abuts a lower surface of thelimb and defines a fulcrum point for the limb.
 7. The archery bow ofclaim 6, wherein the at least one cavity defines a stopwall abutting aforward face of a respective limb butt end, wherein the stopwall isspaced rearward of the respective limb bolt.
 8. The archery bow of claim6, wherein the at least one cavity has an open lower side which does notengage a limb butt end.
 9. The archery bow of claim 6, comprising a pairof sideplates including a downward extending sidewall portion which isarranged adjacent an outer sidewall of a limb butt end and an upperlateral portion extending from the sideplate over a limb; and whereineach sideplate is secured to a rearward end of a limb pocket.
 10. Anarchery bow, comprising: a. an archery bow riser with opposing ends; b.a limb pocket arranged at each end of the riser; c. two pairs of bowlimbs, with one pair of bow limbs extending from each end of the riser,each limb having a butt end, a hinge section and a tip end; d. arotational member mounted between the tip ends of each pair of bowlimbs; e. wherein the butt ends of each pair of limbs are engaged withina cavity defined by a limb pocket wherein the cavity includes a top wallportion abutting an upper facing surface of the limb butt end; f.wherein the hinge section of each limb is engaged by a wing of the limbpocket wherein the wing is spaced rearwardly of the cavity; g. a limbbolt anchoring each limb pocket to the riser; and, h. each limb has aforward face spaced rearward of the respective limb bolt.
 11. Thearchery bow of claim 10, wherein the limb pockets extend from a forwardend engaged by a limb bolt to the top wall portion with the limb pocketbridging the distance that the limb butt end is offset rearward of therespective limb bolt.
 12. The archery bow of claim 10, wherein eachriser end defines a forward connection portion and a pair of spacedapart rearward support points with an open gap defined between the pairof rearward support points, and wherein a forward end of one of the limbpockets is secured to the forward connection portion and a rearward endof the limb pocket is secured to the riser at the pair of rearwardsupport points.
 13. The archery bow of claim 12, comprising a pair offasteners securing the rearward end of the limb pocket to the pair ofspaced apart rearward support points.
 14. The archery bow of claim 12,comprising a pair of sideplates including a downward extending sidewallportion which is arranged adjacent an outer sidewall of a limb end andan upper lateral portion abutting an upper limb face and extending fromthe sideplate to an anchor position between the limbs; wherein eachsideplate is secured to a rearward side portion of the limb pocket; andwherein each sideplate is secured to an anchor position of the limbpocket between a pair of limbs.
 15. An archery bow, comprising: a. anarchery bow riser with opposing ends; b. a bow limb attached to andextending from an end of the riser; c. a limb pocket arranged at an endof the riser and securing the bow limb to the end of the riser; d.wherein a forward end of the limb pocket end is secured to the riser endat a single forward connection portion; and, e. wherein a rearward endof the limb pocket is secured to the riser end at a pair of spaced apartrearward support points with an open gap defined between the pair ofrearward support points.
 16. The archery bow of claim 15, wherein theriser comprises a pair of spaced apart forward strut portions angled toconverge to form the single forward connection point; and, a pair ofspaced apart rearward strut portions terminating in the pair of spacedapart rearward support points, wherein a front-to-rear passage throughthe riser is defined on an axis extending between the forward strutportions and between the rearward strut portions.
 17. The archery bow ofclaim 15, wherein the riser defines a sight window formed as afront-to-rear passage between a pair of spaced apart sidewall portions,the riser further defining first and second front-to-rear passages aboveand below the sight window, each passage defined between a pair ofspaced apart sidewall portions.
 18. The archery bow of claim 17, whereinthe first and second front-to-rear passages are adjacent the riser ends.19. The archery bow of claim 16, wherein the riser is defined by an openframework of struts forming a series of front-to-rear passages betweenthe spaced apart sidewalls, with the spaced apart sidewalls comprisingthe majority of the height of the riser excluding a handle portion. 20.The archery bow of claim 16, wherein the riser is defined by an openframework of struts forming a spaced apart pair of sidewalls excluding ahandle portion, wherein the spaced apart sidewalls are connected atselected heights by the riser ends, handle and cross-struts to define aseries of front-to-rear passages along the riser height.